Taking Stock of your FireSpace Decor

Stained glass is making a comeback in home décor. There is a sweeping new artistic movement in stained glass that transforms the traditional designs into a more modern sleek presence. This article is going to give you some direction on how to incorporate this new and exciting art form into your home and hopefully your heart!

The Visual Vantage Point

Step back to the wall facing your fireplace and take a visual sweep of the entire space. Is it cluttered? Is it well lit or dark? Are there bookshelves flanking the area? Is it bland, boring, colorless? What material is the surround made of? Are there windows that affect the lighting or dimensions? How wide is the mantel? Is there a television or artwork mounted above the mantel?

Some fireplaces look grand all on their own, and some need a little help. A general rule of thumb in Interior Design is to make the fireplace the focal point of the room and from there decorate outwards (except in bedrooms or kitchens).

Without seeing firsthand what your space looks like, we’ll be offering suggestions, ironically, that coincide with the products on our website, www.StainedGlassSpark.com.

WHITE FIREPLACE   If your fireplace is white and your walls are white, you need a pop of color either flanking the chimney or guarding the fireplace opening. We’d suggest wall sconces, pendant lights, or artwork for the sides of the fireplace.  The hearth would look rich in texture and color with a stained glass firescreen, or firesafe hearth rug.

MANTEL DÉCOR   You want a focal piece over the mantel, something that suggests your family pride, philosophy or heritage.  A large family portrait, a shadowbox collection of the husband’s fishing lure collection (those are colorful!), or a special piece of artwork or objet d’ art.

NARROW WALLS   It’s often hard to find something to fit onto a narrow wall especially as they always seem to be in a high traffic area. We’d suggest an ornate mirror, thin tapestry or some flat piece of beauty. There are many, many stained glass windows, mirrors and hanging panels that would be perfect. Remember, stained glass does not have to have light behind it to look fantastic!

MANTEL TELEVISION  We’re not fans of televisions mounted over the mantel.  Historically, fireplaces are the common meeting place for family and guests to sit and talk, and a looming television screen is, well…distracting. We suggest placing it in the family room - not over a mantel.

FIREPLACE WINDOWS   If you have windows on either side of the fireplace, arrange a collection of plants surrounding a stained glass panel hanging in the window or a stained glass room divider. The muted light creates color, interest and is good for most plants.

FIRESIDE BOOKCASES   Bookcase corners beg for cozy little private reading areas, a stained glass pendant light hanging above a plush armchair invites family to open those dusty tomes. If you have an end table in this area, place a stained glass lamp there with adequate wattage!

DOME CEILINGS   If you are building a home ask your contractor how much more it would cost to install a dome ceiling that will support the weight of a stained glass ceiling medallion. These are incredibly beautiful and elevate your home décor beyond elegance!

SKYLIGHTS  are desirable for the amount of light they let in. However in some areas the light is too direct and intense. A textured stained glass window will soften the direct light while allowing brightness in. Plus, it gives a pop of color to your ceiling and draws the eyes up.

WAINSCOTING    Instead of wainscoting, consider recessing fluorescent lighting horizontally along the walls where wainscoting would normally top out. Then flush mount a thin (4”-6”) strip of stained glass that encircles your room. This transforms your space into The Room. It brings color, warmth and dimension into a bland space. This can also be done just under crown moulding – breathtaking.

FIREPLACE HEARTH  One of the most phenomenally beautiful yet comfortable views you will ever see is in watching a flickering fire behind a firescreen made of stained glass. The shadows and light dance unpredictably against textures and colors on the glass. Everything becomes special, necessary and your room suddenly turns into a sacred spot you don’t want to leave. Times this by two if your fireplace is stone!  Natural settings are enhanced by stained glass.

Please tell us your tips and suggestions on how you've used stained glass in your home!

Choosing a Firescreen Wisely

How Often Do You Use Your Fireplace?

This is probably the most important factor in choosing a firescreen.  If you are a log burning addict and cannot live without the thrill of a roaring fire trapped in your fireplace, you will not want to keep moving a 30-40 lb screen several times a night. But what do you use to keep those dang sparks from rocketing onto your beautiful original hand woven pure silk Thai carpet? We suggest if you don’t already have a “chain mail” curtain firescreen you install one that hangs, opens in the center and slides to either side. The wire mesh will take care of about 98% of the flying sparks aimed at the sleeping dog!  Or you can have tempered glass doors installed.  Once you have the mesh screen in place you are ready to start choosing your fireplace focal piece.

Spark Arrestor for Chimney

*Note: if you are one of those people whose neighbors gather in clusters on your lawn sitting on blankets to observe the firesparks coming out of your chimney, please consider placing a fire arrestor in your flue to minimize those dangerous sparks! Also remember to have your flue professionally cleaned twice a year! 

If you are merely a frequent log burner, say once to several times a week, and you like to have comfortable sedate warmth on the edges of your consciousness, then sparks and flying embers and rolling logs are not as big of a concern and a portable fireplace screen is what you need. There are many kinds to choose from. 

If you have a fireplace and are still trying to solve the mystery of how it works (hint: you need wood), perhaps you’d like to select an awesome decorative piece that actually diverts attention from the fact you haven’t a clue (until you get around to it of course!).

Gas fireplaces are increasing in popularity and design and are a very good candidate for fireplace screens without mesh.

Types of Fireplace Screens

Mesh – A fine metal mesh designed to keep sparks on the wrong side of the tracks

Fan – Purely for decoration.

Glass – These include, etched, cut, stained and clear. The stained glass is not usually tempered and should be kept further back from a live fire as flying embers that stick can cause small pits on the surface of the glass, usually it’s not noticeable but should be noted in case it does happen.

Cast Iron / Aluminum – Heavy, Sturdy, Impressive, will generally outlast even you.

Brass / Alloy – Shiny, sparkly, gold tones

Bowed – this screen works best if your hearth is flat, otherwise you get a wobble as it does not have feet.

Fenced – it’s like an indoor adjustable gated fence around your fireplace, usually to keep small children away from hot surfaces. And dogs.

Flat Panel – Best for gas and small fireplaces, usually have feet and are lightweight.

Folding Screens – Probably the most versatile and popular, gives depth and balance to the screen and makes reloading logs easy as you can move just one panel aside.

Screened Doors – Doors set in the frame of the screen let you load logs through the screen without having to pick it up and move it. Don’t let the logs bump the screen or it might fall over. In my opinion, it’s a silly idea that’s gone viral recently.

Glass Doors – usually professionally installed, it’s not really a type of firescreen since it is not portable. But we suggest a decorative firescreen to hide the unsightly accumulation of stain that builds up on the interior of the glass doors.

Decorative / Summer – Generally for the off season or for unused fireplaces. Does not usually have mesh. Often has tea light holders or other decorative items

Magentic Screens – Decorative cloth with magnetized edges to seal fireplace opening

when unused

You know what’s best for you, we can only give you our expert opinion and set you free to choose. Are you more concerned about safety or do you need to finish your room with a little elegance and style? 

BRASS FACTS

WHAT IS BRASS?

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses. The term “bronze” is applied to a variety of other alloy components (in place of zinc) such as arsenic, tin, phosphorus, aluminum, manganese and silicon. Color variations are the result of slightly different proportions of copper and zinc. In history, brass was the “poor man’s gold” or used where solid gold was too soft. Brass is often used where it is important that sparks not be struck. Brass finishes include a highly polished, mirror-like finish; a satin or brushed finish; a soft, hand rubbed finish; an antiqued patina, a bronze patina and verdigris finishes.

TELLING THE DIFFERENCE - SOLID BRASS & BRASS PLATING

An item is solid brass if the material is pure brass and can always be polished to its original beauty, although an old lacquer may need to be removed first.  Brass plated items are usually made of steel or zinc and molecules of brass are electroplated to them.  Because brass plating is very thin and will deteriorate over a period of time, a lacquer is usually applied to protect the plating. If the plating is deteriorated the piece will probably need to be replated to restore the brilliant brass shine.

Test item with a magnet - solid brass is not magnetic.  If the magnet sticks, the item is usually ferrous - steel or cast iron, with a brass plating.  If the magnet does not stick, test further by scratching a hidden area with a knife, awl or sharp tool.  If you see a shiny yellow scratch, the item is probably** solid brass. If you see a silvery scratch, your piece is probably zinc.  Iron, steel, and white metal can be replated, in which case a lacquer is always usually applied to protect the plating.

Lacquer is a clear coating which protects and preserves the beauty of the brass by sealing it from the air which oxidizes (tarnishes) it. Lacquer gives brass a high glossy shine and eliminates the need for polishing. Moisture exposed lacquer (such as bathroom faucets) will not hold up as long. But remember, solid brass, whether kept in or out-of-doors, can always be repolished and relacquered, no matter how hopeless it may look.

**Sometimes a thick sheet of brass is wrapped around a steel or zinc item, giving it more durability and strength. This is not solid brass but will appear like it is.

CARE & MAINTENANCE 

Never try to polish a lacquered piece, no matter what the metal, because polishing will damage and cloud the lacquer.  Lacquered items should be dusted and cleaned with a very soft cloth, which may be moistened.  

Removing lacquer for replating or polishing; We’ve found the easiest way to remove a lacquer coating is with a lacquer thinner, usually available at paint stores. Follow instructions as they vary slightly and repeat the process until all lacquer is removed, examine small tight areas to make sure all traces of lacquer are gone.

DIY Solution – Mix baking soda and water (1Tbsp of soda to a quart of water) and bring to a boil, immerse the item, one half at a time if your pot of solution is not large enough to immerse the item completely. Be careful to not overflow the pot when you immerse the item. Let boil for around 15 minutes and the coating will peel and flake off. Remove from the pot and rinse item with hot water. Remember to protect your hands and exposed skin rom hot water, the item will be 212 F coming directly out of the boiling water. Use acetone (nail polish remover) on a cotton ball of soft disposable cloth to remove any remaining traces of lacquer. Rinse.